Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act

Reduced Dropout Rates: The project aims to provide additional counselors to help students navigate challenges and achieve graduation, specifically targeting schools with low graduation rates (Section 1442(a)).

Enhanced Student Support: Grants can be used to provide additional resources such as professional development, travel expenses for home visits, and supplemental books or materials (Section 1442(b)).

Targeted Assistance for At-Risk Students: Counselors are tasked with identifying students at risk of not graduating and providing services like individual graduation plans and appropriate course placement (Section 1442(d)).

Increased Communication: The bill includes requirements for meetings between counselors and various stakeholders, including students, teachers, tutors, and parents, to support student success (Section 1442(d)(2)).

Opportunities for Continued Support: Schools that show adequate improvement in graduation rates can become eligible for second and third grant periods (Section 1442(f)(1)).

Financial Burden on Schools in Long-term Grants: For schools receiving a third grant, the amount of funding provided will decrease each year, requiring the school to provide corresponding increases in non-Federal funds (Section 1442(f)(1)).

Strict Graduation Definitions: The bill specifies that a "regular high school diploma" does not include GEDs, certificates of attendance, or lesser diploma awards (Section 1443(a)).

Limitations on Graduation Counting: For students with significant cognitive disabilities, the number of students counted as graduates toward the requirements of this Act is capped at 1 percent (Section 1443(b)).